Hinge, door assembly and method for making said assembly



R. J. BROWN June 4, 1968 HINGE, DOOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAID ASSEMBLY I Filed Nov. 4, 19 66 United States Patent 01 Ffice 3,386,297 Patented June 4, 1868 3,386,207 HINGE, DOOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD F011 MAKING SAID ASSEMBLY Richard J. Brown, Andrews Road, Wolcott, (Zonn. 06716 Filed Nov. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 592,071 20 Claims. (Cl. 49-402) This invention relates to an improved hinge and to a door assembly and a method for making such an assembly and deals more particularly with a hinge for use in an assembly of a type in which a door :member overlays a jamb member, such as in a cabinet construction or the like.

The general object of this invention is to provide an improved door assembly of the aforedescribed character which is self-aligning.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved door assembly of the aforedescribed type which in comparison to present structures of the same general type omits fasteners and is of lower cost while nevertheless exhibiting qualities the same or better than present structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for making an assembly of the aforedescribed type, which in comparison to present methods substantially reduces the time and skill required to make the assembly.

Still another object of this invention is to provide .a novel hinge for low cost manufacture which may be used on both right and left-hand door assemblies thereby eliminating hinge pairing requirements.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawing forming a part thereof.

The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawing and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a cabinet embodying a door assembly made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, the door in its open position being indicated by broken lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary view of the cabinet assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a door member and a jamb member positioned for drilling or boring, a drill jig being shown in position on the door member.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Turning now to the drawing and first referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a cabinet structure embodying the present invention is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a frame 12 including jam-b members 14, 14. A pair of door members 16, 16 overlay the frame. Each door member is connected to an associated jamb member by a plurality of substantially identical hinges indicated generally at 18, 18 for movement between an open position and a closed position. Each hinge 18 generally comprises two parts connected to pivot about an axis generally parallel to an edge of the door member. One part has a free end portion which is received in a hole in the jamb member and the other part has a free end portion received in a hole in the door member. When the door is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 and in the solid line position of FIG. 2, the free end portions of the hinge are generally aligned and lie on the same side of the pivot axis.

In the illustrated embodiment each door member is supported on a jamb member by two hinges. Each jamb member 14 has a forwardly facing surface 20 and includes two generally cylindrical holes 22, 22 therein, each hole receiving an associated free end portion of a hinge 18. The holes 22, 22 are axially normal to the surface 20 and each is defined by a bore wall 24 and preferably includes a bottom wall 26.

Each door is of a generally conventional cabinet type and includes a side surface 28, a marginal portion 30 and front and rear surfaces respectively indicated at 32 and 34. Two generally cylindrical holes 36, 36 defined by bore walls 38, 38 and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the holes 22, 22 extend through the marginal edge portion of each door normal to the front surface 32. Each hole 36 receives the other free end portion of a hinge 18 and is preferably spaced inwardly from the door side surface 28. An axially disposed slot 40 extends inwardly from the side surface and communicates with the hole 36 to further accommodate a hinge as best shown in FIG. 4.

Considering now the hinge 18 and referring particularly to FIGS. 2-5 for a detailed description of this part of the illustrated device, it will be noted that the hinge generally comprises a first part 42 and a second part 44 connected to the first part for movement about a pivot axis generally normal thereto. The first part is a generally blade-like member preferably formed from flat metal and includes the generally rectangular central portion 46 and a rounded forward end portion 48 centrally apertured to receive a pivot pin 50 therethrough which forms the aforesaid pivot axis.

At its forward end the first part 42 has a laterally disposed forwardly facing abutment surface 52 which engages the door surface 32 when the door is in an open position to limit the further pivotal movement of the door as best shown in FIG. 2, the open position of the door being indicated by broken lines. A rearwardly diverging tapered shank portion 54 projects outwardly from the central portion 46 and includes serrated edges 56, 56. At the base of the shank 54 the central portion 46 defines a laterally disposed generally rearwardly facing abutment surface 55 which engages the jamb surface 20 as shown in FIG. 2.

To retain the hinge 18 in an assembled condition with the jamb member 14 the first part 42 includes a generally cylindrical plug 58 made from an elastomeric material such as hard rubber or plastic. The plug has a cylindrical side wall 57 which is preferably serrated generally as shown and includes a rear surface 59. An aperture or tapered slot 60 extends coaxially through the plug 58 for receiving the shank 54. Prior to assembly the slot 60 is somewhat smaller than the shank 54 which is adapted to be forceably inserted into the slot to cause the plug to expand generally radially outwardly. Before assembly the shank 54 is preferably partially disposed Within the aperture 60 so that the plug 58 forms an end portion of the hinge part 42, as shown in FIG. 5. The plug in its aforedescribed preassembly condition is adapted to be slidably received in an associated hole 22 and to be expanded in assembly within the hole.

When the plug is in its assembled or expanded condition the plug rear surface 59 bears against the bottom wall 26 and the serrated side wall 57 incises or at least frictionally engages the bore wall 24 to anchor the plug in assembly with the jamb member 14. The serrated as 3 shank edges 54, 54 in turn incise or grip associated walls of the slot so to anchor the first part 4?. in assembly with the plug.

The second part 44 is preferably an elongated generally cylindrical member made of plastic or like material having a smooth surface 62 and including plug or body portion 64 adapted to be slidably received in a hole 35. A slot 65 extends coaxially through the second member and opens laterally outwardly to receive the central portion 46 and the forward end portion 48 therein when the hinge is in its closed or solid line position of FIG. 2. To give the hinge a pleasing appearance the second part includes a forward end portion 66 which is generally dome-shaped and which receives the extending ends of the pivot pin 50.

The door member may be permanently connected to the assembly in the manner generally as aforedescribed by providing a hinge having an expandable second part and such construction is contemplated within the scope of the invention However, preferably and as shown, the door member 16 is arranged to be readily separable from the remainder of the assembly. To provide a means for releasably retaining the hinge 18 in assembly with the door member 16 a screw as is threadably received in the door member through the rear surface 34 and adjacent the plug surface 62 and generally bearing against the latter surface. The wedging action of the screw causes the body portion 64 to frictionaily engage the associated bore wall 33 to retain the door member in assembly with the hinge 18.

Jigs of various types may be used for locating the holes in the door and jamb members in making the aforedescribed assembly. In FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown a typical jig indicated generally at 76 which may be used to locate the position of a hole 36 to be drilled relative to a previously formed slot 40. The jig it? is preferably made from metal and generally comprises an L-shaped angle member 72 having a top wall portion 74 including a rear surface '76 and a side wall portion 78 including an inner surface 81 For locating the jig relative to a slot it) a tab 32 projects outwardly from the surfaces '76 and 8% generally normal thereto. The tab is adapted to be received in the slot 4-0 and has a width substantially equal to the width of the slot. An integrally formed bushing 84 projecting forwardly from the wall portion and having a generally cylindrical bore 86 therethrough coaxially normal to the surface 76 serves to guide a drill bit (not shown). The jig 71 is adapted to be received on a door marginal portion 3%} with the tab b2 being received in an associated slot 4% and the jig surfaces "76 and 80 respectively engaging the door surfaces 32 and 28 to locate the position of the hole 36 relative to the side surface 28 and the slot 40.

In making a door assembly in accordance with the method of the present invention a saw kerf or slot 4% is cut in a door member 15 at each hinge location. Thereafter, the door member is placed in a position corresponding to its normally closed position and overlying a jamb member 14 to permit the holes 22 and 36 to be bored or drilled in a single operation.

A jig such as the aforedescribed jig 70 is preferably employed for locating each hole 36 relative to an associ ated slot 44 The jig is positioned on the marginal edge portion of the door with the tab 82 engaging an associated slot 49. Thereafter a drill bit is inserted in the jig and a hole is bored through the door member 16 and into the jamb member 14. At this point it should be noted that the hole 36 may be drilled through the jamb member 14-, however, preferably a blind hole is drilled into the jamb member to a depth substantially equal to the axial length of the plug 58 to thereby define a bottom surface 26.

After the slotting and boring operations have been performed and while the door is maintained in its closed or overlying position a hinge may be inserted through an sass? associated hole 36 and slot 49 and into an associated hole 22. The hinge free end portions are now attached to the associated door and jamb members 16 and 14 to complete the assembly.

When the method of the present invention is practiced with a hinge of the illustrated type, the hinge part 42 is attached by expanding the end portion or plug 58 in the jamb member 14. in performing this operation the plug 58 is positioned in an associated hole 22 with the plug rear surface 61 engaging the hole bottom surface 26. The plug is expanded by striking one or more blows to the forward end portion 48 to drive the shank 54 into the plug until the abutment surface 55 engages the jarnb suface it). When the latter surfaces are in engagement the hinge pivot axis will be positioned in properly spaced relationship to the jamb member to permit adequate clearance for the door member to move between opened and closed positions.

The door may now be pivoted on the hinge to its open position and the assembly completed by driving a screw into the door member in through the surface 34 and generally adjacent the hinge body ortion ed to releasably retain the door in assembly with the hinge.

The invention claimed is:

it. In a door assembly the combination comprising a jamb member having a first hole therein, a door member movable relative to said jamb member between an open position and a closed position, said door member overlying said jamb member in said closed position and having a second hole therethrough proximate a marginal edge portion thereof generally aligned with said first hole in said closed position, and a hinge having a first part including a first end portion received in said first hole, a second part connected to said first part for movement about a pivot axis generally parallel to said marginal edge portion between said open position and said closed position, said second part having a second end portion received in said second hole, said first and second end portions in said closed position being located on the same side of said pivot axis.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one said member has an end portion including a plug slidably received in an associated one of the said openings and wherein said hinge includes means for retaining said plug in said one opening.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for retaining said plug comprises a screw threadably engaging said member adjacent a wall of said plug and generally bearing against said wall.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said plug is made from an elastomeric material and wherein said means for retaining said plug comprises a means for expanding said plug within said one opening.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for expanding said plug comprises a shank formed at said end portion of said one member and adapted for forceable insertion into an aperture defined by said plug.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first part includes a forwardly facing abutment surface and wherein said door member includes a front surface engaging said abutment surface in said open position.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jamb member includes a forwardly facing surface and wherein said first part includes a rearwardly facing abutment surface rearward-1y spaced from said axis, said abutment surface engaging said forwardly facing jamb surface.

8. A hinge for pivotally connecting a jamb member having a first opening therein to a door member movable relative to said jamb member between an open position and a closed position, said door member overlying said jamb member in said closed position and having a second opening therethrough proximate a marginal edge portion thereof and generally aligned with said first opening in said closed position, said hinge comprising a first part including a first end portion adapted to be received in said first opening, a second part connected to said first part for movement about a pivot axis generally normal to said first part and movable between said open position and said closed position, said second part having a second end portion adapted to be received in said second opening, said first and second end portions in said closed position being located on the same side of said pivot axis.

9. A hinge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said door has a front surface and wherein said first part has a forwardly facing abutment surface, said door front surface in said open position engaging said abutment surface.

10. A hinge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said jamb member includes a forwardly facing surface and wherein said first part has a rearwardly facing abutment surface rearwardly spaced from said axis and adapted to engage said forwardly facing jamb surface.

11. A hinge as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one said member has an end portion including a plug adaptable to be slidably received in an associated one of the said openings and wherein said hinge includes means for retaining said plug in said one opening.

12. A hinge as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for retaining said plug comprises a screw adapted to threadably engage said member adjacent a wall of said plug and generally bear against said wall.

13. A hinge as set forth in claim 11 wherein said plug is made from an elastomeric material and wherein said means for retaining said plug comprise-s a means for expanding said plug within said one opening.

14. A hinge as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for expanding said plug comprises a shank formed at said end portion of said one member and adapted for forceable insertion into an aperture defined by said plug.

1 5. A hinge as set fort-h in claim 8 wherein said second part includes an elongated body portion defining a longitudin-ally extending laterally outwardly opening slot and wherein said first part includes a generally blade-like portion received within said slot in said closed position.

16. A method for making a door assembly comprising the steps of placing a door member in a position overlaying a jamb member, boring a hole through said door member and into said jamb member, inserting a hinge into said hole, attaching one end portion of said hinge to one said member, and attaching another end portion of said hinge to the other said member.

17. A method for making a door assembly as defined in claim 16 including the additional steps of cutting a slot in one edge of said door, and locating said hole to communicate with said slot.

18. A method for making a door assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of locating said hole is further defined as positioning a jig adjacent a marginal edge portion of said door member for determining the relative locations of said hole and said slot.

19. A method for making a door assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein the step .of attaching is further defined as expanding at least one said end portion within an associated hole in a said member.

20. A method for making a door assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of attaching is further defined as driving a screw into said door adjacent at least one said end portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 423,247 3/1890 Hastings 16--128 1,482,704 2/1924 Schwartz 16128 3,179,214 4/1965 Hilfiker 49402 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,373,644 8/ 1964 France.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DOOR ASSEMBLY THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A JAMB MEMBER HAVING A FIRST HOLE THEREIN, A DOOR MEMBER MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID JAMB MEMBER BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION AND A CLOSED POSITION, SAID DOOR MEMBER OVERLYING SAID JAMB MEMBER IN SAID CLOSED POSITION AND HAVING A SECOND HOLE THERETHROUGH PROXIMATE A MARGINAL EDGE PORTION THEREOF GENERALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID FIRST HOLE IN SAID CLOSED POSITION, AND A HINGE HAVING A FIRST PART INCLUDING A FIRST END PORTION RECEIVED IN SAID FIRST HOLE, A 